2007 Harley-Davidson CVO Softail Springer

Alphabet soup to some, but to those in the know, these groups of
letters represent four of Harley-Davidson’s most exclusive models for
2007. The key? The last two letters, SE, which stand for Screamin’
Eagle, the Motor Company’s performance division. They denote that each
is a limited-edition machine hand-built by Harley’s own Custom Vehicle
Operations.

Whether it’s the long-distance comfort of the Ultra Classic, the
versatility of the Road King, the pro street styling of the Dyna or the
retro-cool of the Softail Spinger, there’s something in the CVO lineup
for everyone who wants to stand out from the crowd.

Well, not quite everyone. It’s first-come-first-served for these
exclusive customs. The CVO program will produce a total of 12,500 bikes
for 2007, making them considerably rarer than any of Harley’s standard
models. And considerably more expensive: Prices for the CVOs range from
$24,995 for the Springer and Dyna, up to $33,495 for the Ultra Classic.

The CVO program dates to 1999, when Harley introduced its first
factory custom, the FXR2. Just 900 were produced. A year later, the CVO
program unveiled its first performance model, the Screamin’ Eagle Road
Glide, a customized touring machine with the added kick of a 1,550cc
version of the Twin Cam engine. Since then, all CVO models have
featured significant performance upgrades over their stock counterparts.

And
for 2007, Harley has upped the ante in CVO performance even further by
taking its all-new 96-cubic-inch, air-cooled V-twin, modifying the
cases, boring it out to a full 110 cubic inches, and topping it off
with new high-compression cylinder heads featuring larger intake valves.

These mods translate into a serious increase in torque, especially
at lower rpms. The two Screamin’ Eagle touring models, the Road King
and the Ultra Classic, pump out an impressive 115 foot-pounds at just
3,000 rpm, a healthy 13 percent increase over the hot-rodded
103-cubic-inch Twin Cam mill that powered the ’06 CVOs.

While the new CVOs have plenty of go, they’ve also go lots of show,
thanks to custom hand-painted graphics (unavailable to owners of
standard models, even through Harley’s Color Shop), color-matched
frames, unique wheels, and, of course, chrome. Lots of chrome.

Fortunately, I recently had the chance to spend some quality time
with a Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer in the rolling California
countryside just north of San Luis Obispo.

The Springer is a good-looking machine which gets its name from the
retro leading-link exposed-spring-and-shock front suspension that
replaces a conventional fork. It immediately sets the bike apart and
gives the Springer’s front end the visual weight it needs to balance
the bike’s impressively wide 200/55R-17 rear tire.

Other styling touches include 21-inch front and 17-inch rear
10-spoke Revolver wheels, a chrome mini tach mounted to the ‘bars just
behind the chrome headlamp nacelle, and grips, pegs and pedals from
Harley's new Centerline accessory collection.

One
of the neatest bits on the Springer is the trick fuel gauge on the left
side of the five-gallon Fat Bob tanks that looks like a solid metal
cap—until the motor’s fired up. Then a row of LEDs and a gas pump icon
magically appear through the reflective chrome surface of the gauge,
showing how much gas remains. Very trick indeed.

As I throw a leg over the big twin, it feels comfortable and
balanced. The forward controls are located at just the right point—far
enough forward to let me stretch out my legs, but not so far that I
struggle with the brake and shift levers, while the flat, wide
1.25-inch-diameter handlebar puts the grips right where I need them.

And,
as slice my way down through the brown hills on Adelaida Road just west
of Paso Robles, I find the Springer’s got the handling to match those
comfortable ergos. While the lowered rear suspension can run out of
travel on rough pavement, you’ll have to work hard to touch any hard
parts in a corner, thanks to those high-mounted shotgun pipes. Throw in
the natural anti-dive tendencies of the springer fork and you’ve got a
custom that’s fun to ride, even when things get twisty.

All
too quickly I leave the hills behind and re-enter the world of
stoplights, SUVs and minimarts. But even here, the big custom provides
ample entertainment. The deeply dished leather seat holds me firmly in
place as I tap into that seemingly endless supply of CVO-supplied
torque, the big mill propelling me from light to light and giving
traffic a great view of the smoked LED taillight and the oh-so-wide
rear tire as I neatly pull away.

A quick jaunt down Highway 1 demonstrates that, while not a touring
machine, the Springer is also perfectly capable of relaxed freeway
travel. The top cog in the six-speed gearbox acts as an overdrive,
dropping the revs to a sedate 2,300 or so at speeds that come just shy
of what will earn you a ticket in most states. That deep seat and those
flat bars help keep wind blast (and the accompanying fatigue) to a
minimum.

Between the near-perfect ergonomics, solid handling and that
retro-cool front end that really works, the Springer is a bike that is
as much fun to ride as it is to look at. And the fact that there will
only be 2,500 of these world-wide makes it even better. Anyone want to
loan me $24,995?

The other 2007 CVOs

The Harley-Davidson CVO bikes are designed to do more than just satisfy the demand for high-end, off-the-shelf customs.

“We also put these motorcycles together to show our customers what they can
do with their bikes,” said CVO Senior Team Manager Ken Lussow. “And we
work with Willie G. to define his vision of styling and test new
concepts as complete bikes.”

So if you can't get one of these limited-edition models yourself, you can
use them as inspiration for customizing your own Harley.

Screamin’ Eagle Dyna

Designed to look fast standing still,
the CVO Dyna features an inverted 43mm front fork, a color-matched chin
spoiler, an integrated speedo/tach gauge pack mounted to the
handlebars, and covered, low rear shocks that are hand-adjustable for
preload. The pro-street-inspired machine is available in Silver Rush
and Midnight Black, Inferno Red and Desert Black, and Twilight Blue and
Granite with Ice Blue Pearl with an MSRP of $24,995.

Screamin’ Eagle Road King

Back by popular
demand after a four-year hiatus from the CVO lineup, the new Road King
features a detachable smoked windscreen, a 170mm rear tire mated to a
130mm radial front, custom leather-wrapped saddlebags with embossed
flames, and detachable rider and passenger backrests. It’s available in
Black Ice with Pewter Leaf Graphics, Candy Cobalt with Pale Gold Leaf
Graphics and Razor Red with Burnt Gold Leaf Graphics for an MSRP of
$28,495.